(Newark, DE 19713) On Friday, May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the unit block of Marrows Road in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers learned that 31-year-old Oliver Cephas Jr. had forcibly entered the business and physically confronted an individual. During the incident, Cephas also damaged the tires of another individual’s vehicle before returning to the business and attempting to gain entry a second time. After damaging the business’s door, Cephas forced his way inside, assaulted the individual, stole property, and fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
As responding officers arrived in the area, another officer observed Cephas operating a pickup truck and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. Cephas refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed, eventually escaping from the officer’s sight.
The investigation was subsequently turned over to detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
On Monday, May 18, 2026, Detectives located Cephas on Cedar Street in Wilmington and took him into custody. Cephas was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:
- Two felony counts of disregarding a police officer’s signal
- One felony count of Burglary in the Second Degree
- One misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree
- Two misdemeanor counts of Criminal Mischief over $1,000
- One misdemeanor count of Theft Under $1,500
- One misdemeanor count of resisting arrest
Oliver Cephas, Jr., was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $24,000.00 cash bail.
Oliver Cephas, Jr. – 31
